Welcome to the Skull Session.
Brian Hartline set. the. tone.
Brian Hartline sets the tone for Ohio State's matchup with UCLA
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 13, 2025
Being different. That's the chase. Being different in November. It's a choice, and I believe that. It's a choice. It all starts with your mentality.pic.twitter.com/JJp4lfhzxG
Have a good Friday.
HEISMAN TALK. This week, Julian Sayin appeared on The Heisman Trophy Podcast to discuss his breakout season for the Buckeyes. In a 13-minute discussion with host Chris Huston, Sayin described the difference between Ohio State’s 2024 and 2025 teams, his accuracy, the areas he can improve and more.
On the difference between Ohio State’s 2024 and 2025 teams
“I think last year’s team, they had a lot of veterans, so it’s definitely a different team than last year. We’re a pretty young team this year. We’re still growing every week and trying to get better. I feel like the guys on this year’s team took so much from last year’s team, just the leadership roles they had. Being in the room with Will Howard last year, it was awesome to see the leadership. I took so many things from him.”
On his accuracy
“I’ve always been an accurate passer, but it takes a lot of work and practice and being on the same timing with your receivers, the offensive line protecting up front and being able to see the receivers break and anticipate the window and, you know, obviously, they have to make contested catches as well, which will only boost the completion percentage. It’s a lot of things that factor into that, but I think just the practice, the reps and the timing of it, getting on the same page.”
On being a better passer in college vs. high school
“It’s a combination of things. We have some really good players here at Ohio State, so receivers are always making contested catches, the offensive line is doing a great job in protection, and I think my understanding of the game has grown a little bit more, just because of the coaching I’ve gotten here at Ohio State. It’s only gonna continue to grow — I’m still trying to grow in that area.”
On where he can improve
“There’s still a bunch of room for me to grow. In my protection game, my pocket presence, can I slide, be able to get to my fourth progression? And i think just overall, my understanding of the game. There are still so many areas I want to keep getting better, keep growing and keep developing.”
On his favorite college football player and team growing up
“Growing up, my guy was Marcus Mariota. You know, growing up on the West Coast, Oregon was big. The uniforms and having a guy like Marcus who could really be a dynamic player, that was kind of the team growing up.”
I wonder what Sayin thought about the 2014 national championship game when it happened — and what he thinks about it now. I’m sure the answers are much, much different!
THE ANGELIC ASSASSIN. This week, ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranked Julian Sayin as his No. 1 quarterback in college football. It’s not what Connelly wrote about Sayin that I want to comment on…
1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Last Rank: 11 | Total QBR: 91.1 | Pass Yds: 2,491 | Rush Yds (no sack): 56 | Total TDs: 24
It's always hard to grade the guys who have the best supporting cast. Alabama's Mac Jones produced the best Total QBR of the decade in 2020 but lost the Heisman vote to one of his teammates, and if star receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to produce as he has of late (past two games: 16 catches, 260 yards, three touchdowns) he might prevent Sayin from winning the award as well. But as Ohio State has opened up the playbook and asked more of Sayin, he has responded with near perfection. He's first in the nation in Total QBR, completion rate (80.9%) and success rate* (62.0%)
Even with Smith and other star-caliber players at his disposal, his accuracy is incredible. This pass placement map has about as tight a radius as you'll ever see, even if some away-from-the-body catches also prove the awesomeness of his receivers.
… but rather this chart Connelly shared in his article:
Holy Toledo, Sayin is accurate.
The Angelic Assassin is deadly!
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? Of ESPN’s football analysts, I like Dan Orlovsky the most. But it’s getting harder and harder to defend that take as the former NFL quarterback who once ran out the back of his own end zone continues to spew nonsense about Ohio State.
Last weekend, Orlovsky called Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson “clearly” the two best quarterbacks in college football. When Jake Butt — Lord, forgive me, I am using the words of a Michigan Wolverine to build my argument — challenged him and threw Julian Sayin’s name into the mix, Orlovsky responded: “I’ve seen him play some, not every snap, but a ton. Really good player. Think the tough part is really since week 1 he hasn’t been uncomfortable. But agree super mechanically sound dude with tremendous ability.”
So, Orlovsky’s argument lined up with Pamela Maldonado’s from earlier this week — that Sayin is “efficient, clean and technically superior” but lacks the drama apparently required to be the best quarterback, and player, in college football.
But wait, there’s more!
On Thursday, Orlovsky said he would take “take the field” over Ohio State in this season’s College Football Playoff.
Why?
ESPNs Dan Orlovsky on Ohio State:
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) November 13, 2025
Theyre the least tested #1 team in the history of college football. Theyve played nobody We have no idea how good Ohio State is down by 4 in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/aHm1FZY7y7
“They’re the least tested No. 1 team in the history of college football. They’ve played nobody,” Orlovsky said. “I mean, Week 1, Texas. Ever since then, they haven’t played anybody. I don’t know that they’ve played a team that’s ranked right now since Texas. They have been trailing for one second in the second half this year. We have no idea who this Ohio State team — very good team, quarterback is a really good player, Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football — we have no idea who Ohio State is down four in the fourth quarter. We have no idea.”
There’s, there’s, it’s a, you have to, d’oh, doo wah!
I don’t have the words.
REDEMPTION: AN OHIO STATE FOOTBALL STORY. This week, Wonder Project released official artwork and a trailer for Redemption, a three-part docuseries about Ohio State football’s national championship 2024 season.
The docuseries, which will premiere on Nov. 16 on Amazon Prime Video, features Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka and Gee Scott Jr., capturing the greatest run in college football history from their perspectives. It also includes commentary from Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and Rece Davis.
“Redemption is a cinematic and emotionally unfiltered look at how faith, brotherhood, and perseverance fueled what some are calling the hardest playoff run in college football,” a Wonder Project press release stated. “This is more than football. More than a national championship. This is Redemption.”
Sounds like absolute cinema.
DAILY DUBCAST. The final Eleven Dubcast of the week brings back Ramzy Nasrallah for a second straight preview show ahead of Ohio State squaring off with UCLA in a prime time matchup at The Shoe.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Take What You Want" - Post Malone ft. Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Small alligator rescued in Boston after slithering into the city’s heart on social media... Relic from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is returned, plus $600,000 from Michigan... Ohtani is unanimous MVP for 4th time in winning NL honor as Judge edges Raleigh for third AL accolade... College athletes allegedly involved in $2 million illegal sports betting ring... CFP selection committee chairman Mack Rhoades steps down amid investigation at Baylor.
